Input tray media de-slouch system

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an input tray media de-slouch apparatus, comprising; an input media tray, at least one pivotable media de-slouch arm operatively connected to the tray, and a releasable locking means operatively connected to the arm and the tray to lock the arm prior to media being placed against the arm to substantially keep the media from slouching and to release the arm when the media is being fed from the input tray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an input tray media de-slouch apparatus, comprising; an input media tray, at least one pivotable media de-slouch arm operatively connected to the tray, and a releasable locking means operatively connected to the arm and the tray to lock the arm prior to media being placed against the arm to substantially keep the media from slouching and to release the arm prior to the media being fed from the input tray.

2. Description of the Related Art

Prior to the present invention, as set forth in general terms above and more specifically below, it is known in rear and vertically loaded printer media trays that slouching of stiff media is to be avoided. Slouching is defined as having the media fan out, slip down the tray floor, or worse, sliding into the printer media feed system, thereby causing jams. In prior rear and vertically loaded printer media trays, a stationary friction pad was mounted on the tray floor. The pad was used to achieve the dual purposes of preventing media movement during loading and also providing separation forces for preventing multi-picking of the media during the pick cycle. Multi-picking results when the top sheet the media tends to drag the sheet of media below it into the media handling feed mechanism, due to friction.

One major drawback of this design is the limited effectiveness of the friction pad in preventing media movement during the loading process. This is because increasing the frictional forces while achieving limited media movement during the loading process would result in no pick of media and a subsequent increase in system torque requirements. Consequently, a more advantageous system, then, would be provided if media slouching could be eliminated while reducing multi-picking of the media.

It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for an input tray media system that is capable of eliminating media slouching while reducing multi-picking of the media. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, an embodiment of this invention fulfills these needs by providing an input tray media de-slouch apparatus, comprising; an input media tray, at least one pivotable media de-slouch arm operatively connected to the tray, and a releasable locking means operatively connected to the arm and the tray to lock the arm prior to media being placed against the arm to substantially keep the media from slouching and to release the arm prior to the media being fed from the input tray.

In certain preferred embodiments, the arm further includes a textured surface. Also, the releasable locking means is further comprised of a pick arm, a de-slouch linkage, a de-slouch spring, a de-slouch latch, and drive gears.

In another further preferred embodiment, an input tray media system is utilized that is capable of eliminating media slouching while reducing multi-picking of the media through the use of pivotable de-slouch arms and a releasable locking means operatively connected to the arm.

The preferred input tray media system, according to various embodiments of the present invention, offers the following advantages: ease-of-use; lightness in weight; ease of assembly and repair; excellent de-slouching characteristics; reduced probability of multi-picking when the media is initially installed; good durability; and good economy. In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, these factors of ease-of-use, excellent de-slouching characteristics, and reduced multi-picking are optimized to an extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known.

The above and other features of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric, front view of an input tray media de-slouch system, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric, rear view of the input tray media de-slouch system, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a de-slouch assembly, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one preferred embodiment for use of the concepts of this invention. FIG. 1 illustrates an input tray media de-slouch system 2. System 2 includes, in part, input tray 4 having media leading edge abutment side 10, pick roller cover 6, pivotable de-slouch arms 8, slots 9, and remaining de-slouch assembly 50. Tray 4, pick roller cover 6, arms 8, and assembly 50, preferably, are constructed of any suitable, durable material that is capable of handling a variety of media, particularly thick media such as photo media. As can be seen in FIG. 1, pick roller cover 6 is located substantially above pivotable de-slouch arms 8. Also, pivotable de-slouch arms 8 are located substantially within slots 9 formed within media leading edge abutment side 10.

With respect to FIG. 2, the rearview of input tray media de-slouch system 2 is illustrated. System 2 further includes, in part, de-slouch linkage 12, pivotable de-slouch arm support 14, pivotable de-slouch arm support pivot 15, latch 16, intermediate drive gear 18, and cam gear 20. Linkage 12, support 14, pivot 15, latch 16, drive gear 18, and cam gear 20 are, preferably, constructed of any suitable, durable material that is capable of handling a variety of media, particularly thick media such as photo media. As can be seen in FIG. 2, support 14 is releasably attached to latch 16. Also, support 14 is pivotally connected to tray 4 at pivots 15. Also, pick roller cover 6 is pivotally attached to de-slouch linkage 12. De-slouch linkage 12 is pivotally attached to de-slouch arm support 14. Finally, latch 16 is operatively connected to cam gear 20.

With respect to FIG. 3, assembly 50 is further illustrated. Assembly 50 includes, in part, pick roller cover 6, pivotable de-slouch arms 8, de-slouch linkage 12, pivotable de-slouch support extension 13, pivotable de-slouch arm support 14, pivotable de-slouch arm support pivot 15, latch 16, latch arm 17, intermediate drive gear 18, cam gear 20, cam gear slot 21, and pivotable de-slouch arm surface 22. Preferably, surface 22, is constructed to create a roughened texture, such as through the use of serrations or other suitable raised textures. Surface 22 is used in conjunction with arms 8 in order to prevent the slouching of the media by providing a roughened surface which contacts the leading edge of the media. It is to be understood that the roughened surface 22 may also be a serrated-surface with rearwards (back of input tray 4) facing teeth, to positively lock the media and prevent it from slouching.

With respect to FIGS. 1-3, during the operation of input tray media de-slouch system 2 and assembly 50, the user pulls down on pick roller cover 6 (in the direction of arrow W) to create an opening to deposit a stack of media (not shown). This pulling motion actuates linkage 12 (along the direction of arrow Y) which causes support 14 to rotate (along the clockwise direction of arrows X) and raise de-slouch arms 8 (along the upward direction of arrows Z) above side 10. Once arms 8 are raised, they are locked into position by the interaction between support extension 13 and latch 16. In this position, any amount of media re-straightening by the user will be encountered by the raised position of the de-slouch arms 8, as well as surface 22 of arm 8. Consequently, the user will be satisfied that the media is loaded correctly. Preferably, the arms 8 are locked in a position at angle that is less than 90° with respect to tray 4.

When system 2 is powered up, intermediate drive gear 18 rotates (in the direction of arrow A) with cam gear 20 which in turn interacts (along the direction of arrow B) with latch arm 17. This causes latch 16 to become disengaged from support extension 13 (along the direction of arrow C). Once support extension 13 is disengaged from latch 16, de-slouch arms 8 pivot (along the downward direction of arrows Z) towards side 10. This rotation of arms 8 (along the counterclockwise direction of arrows X) causes the media to contact side 10 for subsequent media picking and further media processing. This operation would repeat itself any time media is loaded into system 2. It is to be understood that if the de-slouch system 2 is activated with media already present in the input tray 4, the de-slouch arms 8 will serve to “straighten” the media and reverse any slouching/fanning already present in the media stack. This effect is more pronounced with a large activation angle of the de-slouch arms 8, and a low pick tire X-position, effectively squeezing the stack back in place (i.e. activated de-slouch arm-to-input tray rear wall angle of <80 degrees or so).

Also, the present invention can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction-execution system, apparatus or device such as a computer/processor based system, processor-containing system or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction-execution system, apparatus or device, and execute the instructions contained therein. In the context of this disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate or transport a program for use by or in connection with the instruction-execution system, apparatus or device. The computer-readable medium can comprise any one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of a suitable computer-readable medium would include, but are not limited to, a portable magnetic computer diskette such as floppy diskettes or hard drives, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory, or a portable compact disc. It is to be understood that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a single manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

Those skilled in the art will understand that various embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or combinations thereof. Separate embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using a combination of hardware and software or firmware that is stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction-execution system. If implemented solely in hardware, as in an alternative embodiment, the present invention can be separately implemented with any or a combination of technologies which are well known in the art (for example, discrete-logic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable-gate arrays (PGAs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or other later developed technologies. In preferred embodiments, the present invention can be implemented in a combination of software and data executed and stored under the control of a computing device.

It will be well understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, after having become familiar with the teachings of the present invention, that software applications may be written in a number of programming languages now known or later developed.

Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims. 

1. An input tray media de-slouch apparatus, comprising: an input media tray; at least one pivotable media de-slouch arm operatively connected to the tray; and a releasable locking means operatively connected to the arm and the tray to lock the arm prior to media being placed against the arm to substantially keep the media from slouching and to release the arm prior to the media being fed from the input tray.
 2. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the input media tray is further comprised of: at least one slot located substantially adjacent to the pivotable media de-slouch arm; and a media leading edge abutment side located substantially adjacent to the at least one slot.
 3. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the pivotable media de-slouch arm is further comprised of: a pivotable de-slouch arm support operatively connected to the arm.
 4. The apparatus, as in claim 3, wherein the arm support is further comprised of: a pivotable de-slouch support extension operatively connected to the support and the locking means.
 5. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the pivotable media de-slouch arm is further comprised of: a textured surface located substantially along a portion of the arm.
 6. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the locking means is further comprised of: a latch operatively connected to the arm and a drive means.
 7. The apparatus, as in claim 6, wherein the drive means is further comprised of: an intermediate drive gear; and a cam gear operatively connected to the drive gear and a latch arm.
 8. The apparatus, as in claim 7, wherein the cam gear is further comprised of: a cam slot.
 9. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further comprised of: a pick roller cover; and a linkage means operatively connected to the pick roller cover and the de-slouch arm.
 10. An input tray media de-slouch method, comprising the steps of: manipulating an input tray pick arm to causing at least one media de-slouch arm to rotate away from a portion of a media input tray; locking the arm into a predetermined position; inserting an amount of media into the tray such that the media interacts with the arm to substantially eliminate any slouching of the media; and pivoting the arm away from the tray when it is desired to remove media from the tray.
 11. The method, as in claim 10, wherein the manipulating step is further comprised of the step of: pulling the pick arm towards a user.
 12. The method, as in claim 10, wherein the manipulating step is further comprised of the steps of: actuating a linkage that is operatively connected to the pick arm and the de-slouch arm; and rotating a de-slouch arm support to cause the de-slouch arm to rotate away from the input tray.
 13. The method, as in claim 10, wherein the locking step is further comprised of the steps of: lockably engaging a de-slouch arm support extension with a latch; and lockably engaging a latch arm with a drive means.
 14. The method, as in claim 13, wherein the step of pivoting the arm away from the tray is further comprised of the steps of: disengaging the latch arm from the drive means; and disengaging the extension from the latch.
 15. A program storage medium readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform an input tray media de-slouch method, comprising the steps of: manipulating an input tray pick arm to causing at least one media de-slouch arm to rotate away from a portion of a media input tray; locking the arm into a predetermined position; inserting an amount of media into the tray such that the media interacts with the arm to substantially eliminate any slouching of the media; and pivoting the arm away from the tray when it is desired to remove media from the tray.
 16. The method, as in claim 15, wherein the manipulating step is further comprised of the step of: pulling the pick arm towards a user.
 17. The method, as in claim 15, wherein the manipulating step is further comprised of the steps of: actuating a linkage that is operatively connected to the pick arm and the de-slouch arm; and rotating a de-slouch arm support to cause the de-slouch arm to rotate away from the input tray.
 18. The method, as in claim 15, wherein the locking step is further comprised of the steps of: lockably engaging a de-slouch arm support extension with a latch; and lockably engaging a latch arm with a drive means.
 19. The method, as in claim 18, wherein the step of pivoting the arm away from the tray is further comprised of the steps of: disengaging the latch arm from the drive means; and disengaging the extension from the latch.
 20. An input tray media de-slouch system, comprising the steps of: a means for manipulating an input tray pick arm to causing at least one media de-slouch arm to rotate away from a portion of a media input tray; a means for locking the arm into a predetermined position; a means for inserting an amount of media into the tray such that the media interacts with the arm to substantially eliminate any slouching of the media; and a means for pivoting the arm away from the tray when it is desired to remove media from the tray.
 21. The system, as in claim 20, wherein the manipulating step is further comprised of the step of: a means for pulling the pick arm towards a user.
 22. The system, as in claim 20, wherein the manipulating step is further comprised of the steps of: a means for actuating a linkage that is operatively connected to the pick arm and the de-slouch arm; and a means for rotating a de-slouch arm support to cause the de-slouch arm to rotate away from the input tray.
 23. The system, as in claim 20, wherein the locking step is further comprised of the steps of: a means for lockably engaging a de-slouch arm support extension with a latch; and a means for lockably engaging a latch arm with a drive means.
 24. The system, as in claim 23, wherein the step of pivoting the arm away from the tray is further comprised of the steps of: a means for disengaging the latch arm from the drive means; and a means for disengaging the extension from the latch. 